Nehwal outlasts Li for 3rd title in Jakarta
Source: AFP |
June 18, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
INDIAN ace Saina Nehwal defeated China's Li Xuerui to win the Indonesia Open Super Series in Jakarta yesterday, sending out a strong message to rivals ahead of the London Olympics next month.
The world No. 5 took the women's singles crown and US$48,750 in prize money by beating world No. 4 Li from a game down 13-21, 22-20, 21-19.
Nehwal said winning her third Indonesia Open title was "special" and hoped for more success in the country. She won the tournament in 2009 and 2010 but lost the following year to China's Wang Yihan.
"I'm happy to win the tournament today. But there's lots to be done (before the Olympics)," she said.
"I think all the Chinese are really good... All of them are very strong, very hard working."
Nehwal thrashed Sung Ji-hyun of Korea in the semifinal on Saturday while Li beat top-seeded compatriot Wang in the other semifinal.
Li took the first game easily in yesterday's final at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, winning 21-13 with a series of ambitious cross-court smashes.
Nehwal regained her composure and made a comeback in the second game, engaging Li in long rallies and then pinning her to the baseline.
The final and deciding game was a closely-fought contest before Nehwal sealed her victory after Li's weak backhand return hit the net.
Li said she had a shot at winning but caved under pressure.
"I think I had the chance to win but I did not use it very well. My opponent played a tough match while I played under pressure," she said after the match.
In the men's singles, home favorite Simon Santoso defeated China's Du Pengyu 21-18, 13-21, 21-11 to win the title.
The women's doubles crown went to top seeds Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang, who defeated Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei, seeded second, 17-21, 21-9, 21-16 in an all-China affair.
The world No. 5 took the women's singles crown and US$48,750 in prize money by beating world No. 4 Li from a game down 13-21, 22-20, 21-19.
Nehwal said winning her third Indonesia Open title was "special" and hoped for more success in the country. She won the tournament in 2009 and 2010 but lost the following year to China's Wang Yihan.
"I'm happy to win the tournament today. But there's lots to be done (before the Olympics)," she said.
"I think all the Chinese are really good... All of them are very strong, very hard working."
Nehwal thrashed Sung Ji-hyun of Korea in the semifinal on Saturday while Li beat top-seeded compatriot Wang in the other semifinal.
Li took the first game easily in yesterday's final at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, winning 21-13 with a series of ambitious cross-court smashes.
Nehwal regained her composure and made a comeback in the second game, engaging Li in long rallies and then pinning her to the baseline.
The final and deciding game was a closely-fought contest before Nehwal sealed her victory after Li's weak backhand return hit the net.
Li said she had a shot at winning but caved under pressure.
"I think I had the chance to win but I did not use it very well. My opponent played a tough match while I played under pressure," she said after the match.
In the men's singles, home favorite Simon Santoso defeated China's Du Pengyu 21-18, 13-21, 21-11 to win the title.
The women's doubles crown went to top seeds Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang, who defeated Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei, seeded second, 17-21, 21-9, 21-16 in an all-China affair.
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